Prove Your Answer
📖 Learn
When you answer a question about what you read, you need to prove your answer by showing where you found the information. This is called using evidence!
What Does "Prove Your Answer" Mean?
When someone asks you a question about a story, you need to:
- Give your answer - Tell what you think
- Show proof - Point to words from the text that support your answer
This shows you are not just guessing - you found the answer in the words!
Key Words to Know
- Prove: To show that something is true
- Evidence: Words from the text that support your answer
- Support: To back up or help prove something
How to Prove Your Answer
Use this sentence starter to prove your answer:
"I know because the text says..."
Then tell the words from the story that prove your answer!
Why Is This Important?
Proving your answer helps you:
- Show that you really read and understood the story
- Make sure your answer is correct
- Practice a skill you will use on tests like the SAT!
💡 Examples
See how to answer questions and prove your answer with evidence.
Example 1: Proving a Feeling
Text:
"Mia frowned and crossed her arms. She stomped her feet."
Question: How does Mia feel?
Answer with proof:
Mia feels angry or upset. I know because the text says she "frowned," "crossed her arms," and "stomped her feet." These are things people do when they are mad.
Example 2: Proving What Happened
Text:
"The ball went through the window. Glass fell on the ground."
Question: What happened to the window?
Answer with proof:
The window broke. I know because the text says "the ball went through the window" and "glass fell on the ground."
Example 3: Proving Where
Text:
"Jake picked up shells on the shore. He built a sandcastle."
Question: Where is Jake?
Answer with proof:
Jake is at the beach. I know because the text says he "picked up shells on the shore" and "built a sandcastle." Shells, shores, and sandcastles are all at the beach.
Example 4: Proving Why
Text:
"The plants were dry and brown. No rain had fallen for weeks."
Question: Why are the plants dry and brown?
Answer with proof:
The plants are dry because there was no rain. I know because the text says "no rain had fallen for weeks." Plants need water to stay green.
Example 5: Proving Who
Text:
"Dr. Smith checked the boy's throat. She gave him medicine."
Question: What is Dr. Smith's job?
Answer with proof:
Dr. Smith is a doctor. I know because the text says she "checked the boy's throat" and "gave him medicine." Doctors check people and give medicine when they are sick.
✏️ Practice
Read each text, answer the question, and prove your answer with evidence.
Problem 1
"Tim laughed and clapped his hands. He loved the magic show."
How does Tim feel about the magic show? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
Tim is happy and loves the magic show. I know because the text says he "laughed and clapped his hands" and "he loved the magic show."
Problem 2
"The cat hid under the bed. Lightning flashed outside."
Why is the cat hiding? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
The cat is hiding because it is scared of the storm. I know because the text says "lightning flashed outside." Cats often hide when there is a storm.
Problem 3
"Sara blew out the candles on her cake. Her family sang to her."
What is happening? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
Sara is having a birthday party. I know because the text says she "blew out the candles on her cake" and "her family sang to her." We blow out candles and people sing at birthday parties.
Problem 4
"The boy put on his helmet. He got on his bike."
What is the boy going to do? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
The boy is going to ride his bike. I know because the text says he "put on his helmet" and "got on his bike." We wear helmets when we ride bikes.
Problem 5
"Grandma took cookies out of the oven. The kitchen smelled good."
What did Grandma make? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
Grandma made cookies. I know because the text says "Grandma took cookies out of the oven."
Problem 6
"Emma's eyes got big. She had never seen an elephant before."
How does Emma feel? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
Emma feels surprised and amazed. I know because the text says "her eyes got big" and "she had never seen an elephant before." Our eyes get big when we see something new and amazing.
Problem 7
"The firefighter held the hose. Water sprayed on the burning house."
What is the firefighter doing? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
The firefighter is putting out a fire. I know because the text says he "held the hose" and "water sprayed on the burning house." Firefighters use water to put out fires.
Problem 8
"The sun was going down. The sky turned orange and pink."
What time of day is it? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
It is evening or sunset time. I know because the text says "the sun was going down" and "the sky turned orange and pink." The sun goes down in the evening and makes colorful skies.
Problem 9
"Leo could not find his toy car. He looked under the couch."
What is Leo's problem? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
Leo lost his toy car. I know because the text says he "could not find his toy car" and he is "looking under the couch" for it.
Problem 10
"The team cheered and jumped up. They had won the game!"
Why is the team happy? Prove your answer.
Show Answer
The team is happy because they won the game. I know because the text says "they had won the game!" and they "cheered and jumped up." People cheer when they win.
✅ Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to see how well you understand proving your answer.
Question 1
What does it mean to "prove your answer"?
Show Answer
To prove your answer means to show words from the text that support what you said. It shows you found the answer in the reading and are not just guessing.
Question 2
What sentence starter can you use to prove your answer?
Show Answer
"I know because the text says..." Then you tell the words from the story that prove your answer is correct.
Question 3
Read: "The girl put her drawings in her backpack. The school bus was coming." Where is the girl going? Prove it.
Show Answer
The girl is going to school. I know because the text says she put things "in her backpack" and "the school bus was coming." Backpacks and school buses are for going to school.
Question 4
Why is it important to prove your answer with evidence from the text?
Show Answer
Proving your answer shows that: 1) You really read and understood the text, 2) Your answer is correct because you found it in the words, 3) You are not just guessing. This is an important skill for tests and for being a good reader!
🚀 Next Steps
- Use the sentence starter: Practice saying "I know because the text says..." when you answer questions about books.
- Point to the words: When reading with someone, point to the words that prove your answer.
- Ask family members: After reading a story together, ask "How do you know?" and practice finding proof.
- Keep practicing: The more you prove your answers, the better reader you will become!